Today, OfficeMax Inc. announced it has opened a new store format, OfficeMax Business Solutions Center, in downtown Milwaukee. The retailer designed the store concept to serve the city's business community.

The new store format offers 5,000 square feet of specially tailored business services, solutions and products delivered by specifically trained employees who can help local entrepreneurs grow their businesses, the retailer stated. Business services include furniture and space planning, packaging and FedEx shipping, and document shredding.

OfficeMax noted that the new store format features an integrated service counter staffed by business solutions specialists who can address customer needs in marketing, IT and web solutions. Internet services available range from web hosting to cloud storage. Computer services offered include network setup, software installation and repair. Business community space within the store allows customers to hold informal meetings, network or plug in and work, as shoppers can access free Wi-Fi anywhere on the sales floor.

Kristin Muntean, OfficeMax vp/strategic initiatives and innovation, pointed out, "A specialized business solutions adviser also will reside in-store, working alongside business customers to help them take their enterprises to the next level with robust services tailored to meet their individual business needs.”

As for inventory, the store features technology products for small business, including convertible laptops, smart phones and accessories, and business-quality printers and shredders. Products and services are grouped by the business solutions they provide to help customers readily shop based on professional needs. An OfficeMax.com kiosk in the store provides customers with access to thousands more office, technology, furniture and paper products than can be stocked in store.

The new OfficeMax store format also provides a portfolio of services to meet marketing and promotional support requirements with printing of business cards, stationary, envelopes, signs, banners and posters as well as custom printing.

The new OfficeMax Business Solutions Center in The Shops of Grand Avenue, 275 West Wisconsin Avenue. It replaces a previous OfficeMax store in that mall.

"Our OfficeMax Business Solutions Center advances our transformation as a seamless multi-channel supplier of workplace products, services and solutions," said Ravi Saligram, OfficeMax president and CEO. "With the launch of our new store, we are pleased to introduce a relationship-based retail service center focused on partnering with businesses to help them grow."

Michael Lewis, executive vp and president of retail at OfficeMax, noted, "We want local businesses to know that they don't have to go it alone. Every step of the process— from formalizing your business to setting up your office and website to marketing— OfficeMax can be your partner."